Signal transfer apparatus

ABSTRACT

A signal transfer apparatus includes a plurality of input connectors to which a plurality of signals are input from a first electronic device; and a single output connector which is connected to the plurality of input connectors and transfers the plurality of signals to a second electronic device. The length of a plurality of cables connecting the single output connector and the plurality of input connectors differs from each other so that the plurality of input connectors do not overlap each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0021271, filed Mar. 12, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Apparatuses consistent with the exemplary embodiment relate to transferring signals, and more particularly, to a signal transfer apparatus which transfers a plurality of signals output from an electronic device to another electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Image signals or audio signals output from an electronic device need to be transferred to another electronic device to operate the electronic devices in association with each other. For example, image signals are transferred from a digital versatile disk (DVD) player or a set-top box to a television (TV) to reproduce the image signals. When an image signal is transferred as a component type, three component signals including a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Pb and Pr are transmitted to a TV, which includes terminals to receive such signals. There are various signal transfer methods other than a component type such as a composite type, and thus a TV should include various terminals to receive signals transferred in various manners.

Recently, there have been many efforts to miniaturize electronic devices. For example, it may be necessary to miniaturize an electronic device to fabricate electronic devices such as a thin wall-mounted TV. For the miniaturized electronic devices, the size and number of terminals to transmit and receive signals to and from another electronic device need to be reduced.

Additionally, the terminals are typically disposed on a rear surface of the electronic device. Electronic devices such as a wall-mounted TV are fixedly mounted on a wall. The wall-mounted TV includes cables to transfer audio signals or image signals and connectors to connect the wall-mounted TV to external devices, and these cables and connectors may make it difficult to closely attach the wall-mounted TV to the wall. Accordingly, there is a need for a connector that facilitates close attachment of the wall-mounted TV to a wall.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the exemplary embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and may not overcome any of the problems described above.

One or more exemplary embodiments provide a signal transfer apparatus to reduce the size and number of terminals of an electronic device.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a signal transfer apparatus, including a plurality of input connectors to which a plurality of signals are input; and a single output connector which is connected to the plurality of input connectors and outputs the plurality of signals.

The length of a plurality of cables connecting the single output connector and the plurality of input connectors may differ from each other so that the plurality of input connectors do not overlap each other.

The single output connector may include an output terminal which is connected to the second electronic device; wherein the output terminal may include a plurality of signal regions which are connected to the plurality of signals input to the plurality of input connectors, respectively; and a ground region which is connected to grounds of the plurality of input connectors.

The plurality of signal regions and the ground region may be formed lengthwise along the single output terminal.

An insulating material may be disposed between the plurality of signal regions and the ground region.

The output terminal may be formed in a pin shape.

The plurality of input connectors may include a first input connector to which a luminance signal Y is input; a second input connector to which a first color difference signal Pb is input; and a third input connector to which a second color difference signal Pr is input.

The length of the plurality of cables connecting the single output connector and the first, second, and third input connectors may differ from each other.

The single output connector may include an output terminal which is connected to the second electronic device; a first signal region which is connected to the luminance signal Y; a second signal region which is connected to the first color difference signal Pb; a third signal region which is connected to the second color difference signal Pr; and a ground region which is connected to grounds of the first, second, and third input connectors.

The first, second, and third signal regions and the ground region may be formed lengthwise along the output terminal.

An insulating material may be disposed between the first, second, and third signal regions and the ground region.

The plurality of input connectors may be connected to external cables.

The plurality of input connectors may be formed as a female connector.

The plurality of signals may include at least one image signal.

The second electronic device may be a television (TV).

The TV may include a terminal into which the output connector is inserted.

The inserting direction of the output connector may be parallel with a display plane of the TV.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a signal transfer apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the signal transfer apparatus of FIG. 1 coupled to an electronic device; and

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the signal transfer apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments are described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, like drawing reference numerals are used for like elements, even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. However, it is apparent that the present invention can be practiced without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention with unnecessary detail.

An exemplary embodiment relates to a signal transfer apparatus which transfers a plurality of signals from a first electronic device to a second electronic device. In this exemplary embodiment, a signal transfer apparatus transfers a plurality of image signals output from a digital versatile disk (DVD) player or a set-top box corresponding to the first electronic device to a TV corresponding to the second electronic device in a component type signal transfer. However, embodiments are not limited to these electronic devices. In addition, embodiments may also be used to transfer audio signals or other signals other than image signals.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a signal transfer apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic view in which the signal transfer apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 is coupled to an electronic device (TV 200), and FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the signal transfer apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

The signal transfer apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, a single output connector 120, and a plurality of cables 130 a, 130 b, 130 c.

A plurality of signals output from the first electronic device, such as a DVD player or a set-top box, is input to the plurality of input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c. The image signals are transferred as a component type in this exemplary embodiment. The signal transfer apparatus 100 includes the first input connector 110 a to which a luminance signal Y is input, the second connector 110 b to which a first color difference signal Pb is input, and the third connector 110 c to which a second color difference signal Pr is input. Referring to FIG. 2, the first electronic device (not shown) is connected to the plurality of input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c through external cables 111 a, 111 b, 111 c, and the second electronic device (TV) 200 is connected to the output connector 120.

Because three component signals Y, Pb, Pr are transferred in this exemplary embodiment, three input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c are used. However, the number of input connectors is not limited thereto, and, if the number of signals to be transferred is increased or reduced, more or less input connectors may be used.

The single output connector 120 is connected to all the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and transfers the plurality of signals to the second electronic device, such as the TV 200. The number of input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c is plural, but only one output connector 120 is provided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As described in detail below, the output connector 120 includes a plurality of signal regions 122 a, 122 b, 122 c which are respectively connected to the cables 130 a, 130 b, 130 c and receive the signals input to the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c via the cables 130 a, 130 b, 130 c. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, a single output connector 120 is used to transfer the plurality of signals.

Therefore, the TV 200 includes only one terminal 201 to receive the luminance signal Y and the first and second color difference signals Pb, Pr from the output connector 120, as shown in FIG. 2. Because the TV 200 according to the exemplary embodiment requires a lesser number of terminals, e.g., only one terminal 201, the TV 200 may be miniaturized and/or slimmer.

The cables 130 a, 130 b, 130 c connects the single output connector 120 to the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c. Referring to FIG. 1, the length of each of the cables 130 a, 130 b, 130 c differs from each other so that the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c are staggered and do not overlap each other. In other words, in order to prevent the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c from overlapping, except for the shortest cable, the length of each of the cables 110 a, 110 b, 110 c is successively longer than the next shortest cable. For example, the length of the cables may be selected so that a difference in length between two cables is at least greater than a length of the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, or greater than a sum of the length of the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c and a length of output connectors of the cables 111 a, 111 b, 111 c coupled to the input connectors 110 a, 110 b and 110 c. FIG. 2 illustrates the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c which do not overlap each other.

If the length of the cables 130 a, 130 b, 130 c is the same, the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c may overlap each other and thus the overlapped input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c may occupy a substantial volume behind the TV 200. For example, if the TV 200 is a wall-mounted TV, the overlapped input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c may be disposed between a rear surface of the wall-mounted TV and a wall, and, thus, the overlapped input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c may occupy a substantial space between the rear surface and the wall. Accordingly, it may be difficult to closely attach the TV 200 to the wall. Although only three input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c are provided in this exemplary embodiment, the wall-mounted TV may require more input connectors. That is, because the number of peripheral devices connected to the TV 200 may be increased, transfer of various signals such as audio signals other than image signals may be required. Even with a large number of input connectors, the signal transfer apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment facilitates close attachment of the wall-mounted TV to the wall because the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c do not overlap each other.

Referring to FIG. 1, the single output connector 120 includes an output terminal 121, the signal regions 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and a ground region 123.

The output terminal 121 is inserted into the terminal 201 of the TV 200 to be connected to the TV 200, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the inserting direction of the output terminal 121 is parallel to a display plane of the TV 200. Accordingly, although the output terminal 121 is inserted into the terminal 201, the space between the rear surface of the TV 200 and the wall to accommodate the output connector 120 is minimized so that the TV 200 may be more closely attached to the wall. The output terminal 121 is formed in a pin shape as shown in FIG. 1, but the output terminal 121 may be configured in various shapes.

The signal regions 122 a, 122 b, 122 c receive the signals from the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, respectively, via the cables 110 a, 110 b, 110 c. Referring to FIG. 3, the first signal region 122 a receives and outputs the luminance signal Y through the first input connector 110 a, the second signal region 122 b receives and outputs the first color difference signal Pb through the second input connector 110 b, and the third signal region 122 c receives and outputs the second color difference signal Pr through the third input connector 110 c.

The ground region 123 is connected to ground points 140, 142, 144 of the first, second, and third input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, as shown in FIG. 3.

The first, second, and third signal regions 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and the ground region 123 are formed lengthwise along the output terminal 121 as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, although only one output terminal 121 is provided, each signal Y, Pb, Pr is individually transferred to the TV 200. An insulating material 125 is disposed between the first, second, and third signal regions 122 a, 122 b, 122 c and the ground region 123. The insulating material 125 obviates the plurality of signals from being jammed up.

According to the exemplary embodiment as described above, the plurality of signals Y, Pb, Pr is transferred to the TV 200 using a single output connector 120 so that the TV 200 needs only one terminal 201 to connect the output connector 120. Accordingly, the number of the terminals mounted to the TV 200 is reduced, and thus it allows the TV 200 to be miniaturized. Moreover, as the lengths of the plurality of cables 130 a, 130 b, 130 c connecting the output connector 120 and the plurality of input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c differ from each other, the input connectors 110 a, 110 b, 110 c do not overlap. Therefore, if the TV 200 according to an exemplary embodiment is a wall-mounted TV, the wall-mounted TV may be closely attached to the wall. The TV 200 according to an exemplary embodiment may be a light emitting diode (LED) TV, which is a substantially thin device.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A signal transfer apparatus comprising: a plurality of input connectors to which a plurality of signals are input; and a single output connector which is connected to and receives the plurality of signals from the plurality of input connectors, and outputs the plurality of signals, wherein the plurality of signals comprise a luminance signal, a first color difference signal, and a second color difference signal, and the plurality of input connectors comprise: a first input connector to which the luminance signal is input; a second input connector to which the first color difference signal is input; and a third input connector to which the second color difference signal is input, and wherein the single output connector is configured to be insertable into a terminal disposed behind a display of a first electronic device, an inserting direction of the single output connector is parallel to a plane of the display, the single output connector comprises a single pin-shaped output terminal comprising a base and a tip which is disposed opposite to the base and is insertable into the terminal disposed behind the display, and signal lines of the first input connector, the second input connector, and third input connector are connected, respectively, to a luminance signal region, a first color difference signal region, and a second color difference signal region, which are sequentially formed lengthwise, in this order, from the tip to the base along the single pin-shaped output terminal.
 2. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cables which connect the single output connector to the plurality of input connectors, wherein each of the plurality of cables have a length which differs from the lengths of the other cables of the plurality cables so that the plurality of input connectors do not overlap each other.
 3. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein an insulating material is disposed between the luminance signal region, the first color difference signal region, the second color difference signal region, and the ground region.
 4. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the single pin-shaped output terminal further comprises: a ground region which is connected to ground points of the plurality of input connectors.
 5. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cables which connect the single output connector to the first, second, and third input connectors, wherein each of the plurality of cables have a length which differs from the lengths of the other cables of the plurality cables.
 6. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the luminance signal region is connected to a first cable of the plurality of cables, and receives and outputs the luminance signal; the first color difference signal region is connected to a second cable of the plurality of cables, and receives and outputs the first color difference signal; the second color difference signal region is connected to a third cable of the plurality of cables, and receives and outputs the second color difference signal; and the single output connector further comprises a ground region which is connected to ground points of the first, second, and third input connectors.
 7. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein an insulating material is disposed between the luminance signal region, the first color difference signal region, the second color difference signal region, and the ground region.
 8. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of input connectors are connected to external cables.
 9. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of input connectors is a female connector.
 10. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of signals comprise at least one image signal.
 11. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of input connectors are connectable to a second electronic device to receive the plurality of signals, and the single output connector outputs the plurality of signals to the first electronic device.
 12. The signal transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is a television.
 13. An apparatus which transfers signals from a first device to a second device, the apparatus comprising: first input connector which receives a luminance signal input from the first device; second input connector which receives a first color difference signal input from the first device; third input connector which receives a second color difference signal input from the first device; first, second, and third cables which are connected to the first, second, and third input connectors, respectively; and a single output connector which is connected to the first, second, and third cables and is configured to be connected to the second device and transfer the luminance signal, the first color difference signal, and the second color difference signal received by the first, second, and third input connectors to the second device, wherein the single output connector is configured to be insertable into a terminal disposed behind a display of the second device, an inserting direction of the single output connector is parallel to a plane of the display, the single output connector comprises a single pin-shaped output terminal comprising a base and a tip which is disposed opposite to the base and is insertable into the terminal disposed behind the display, and signal lines of the first input connector, the second input connector, and third input connector are connected, respectively, to a luminance signal region, a first color difference signal region, and a second color difference signal region, which are sequentially formed lengthwise, in this order, from the tip to the base along the single pin-shaped output terminal.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a difference in length between any two cables of the first, second, and third cables is greater than a length of any one of the first, second, or third input connector.
 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the luminance signal region, the first color difference signal region, and the second color difference signal region are disposed alternatively with an insulating material in a lengthwise direction of a single pin of the single pin-shaped output terminal, and the single output connector further comprises a ground region.
 16. A signal transfer apparatus comprising: a plurality of input connectors to which a plurality of signals are input; and a single output connector which is connected to and receives the plurality of signals from the plurality of input connectors, and outputs the plurality of signals, wherein the plurality of signals comprise a first component video signal, a second component video signal, and a third component video signal, and the plurality of input connectors comprise: a first input connector to which the first component video signal is input; a second input connector to which the second component video signal is input; and a third input connector to which the third component video signal is input, and wherein the single output connector is configured to be insertable into a terminal disposed behind a display of a first electronic device, the single output connector comprises a single pin-shaped output terminal comprising a base and a tip which is disposed opposite to the base and is insertable into the terminal disposed behind the display, and component video signal lines of the first input connector, the second input connector, and third input connector are connected, respectively, to a first component video signal region, a second component video signal region, and a third component video signal region, which are sequentially formed lengthwise, in this order, from the tip to the base along the single pin-shaped output terminal.
 17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein an inserting direction of the single output connector is parallel to a plane of the display.
 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first component video signal comprises a luminance signal, the second component video signal comprises a first color difference signal, and the third component video signal comprises a second color difference signal.
 19. A system comprising: an electronic device; and a signal transfer apparatus, the signal transfer apparatus comprising: a plurality of input connectors to which a plurality of signals are input; and a single output connector which is connected to and receives the plurality of signals from the plurality of input connectors, and outputs the plurality of signals, wherein the plurality of signals comprise a luminance signal, a first color difference signal, and a second color difference signal, and the plurality of input connectors comprise: a first input connector to which the luminance signal is input; a second input connector to which the first color difference signal is input; and a third input connector to which the second color difference signal is input, and wherein the single output connector is configured to be insertable into a terminal disposed behind a display of the electronic device, an inserting direction of the single output connector is parallel to a plane of the display, the single output connector comprises a single pin-shaped output terminal comprising a base and a tip which is disposed opposite to the base and is insertable into the terminal disposed behind the display, and signal lines of the first input connector, the second input connector, and third input connector are connected, respectively, to a luminance signal region, a first color difference signal region, and a second color difference signal region, which are sequentially formed lengthwise, in this order, from the tip to the base along the single pin-shaped output terminal. 